The Herd is Calling

The Intersection of Yoga and Horsemanship with Jacob Homer | The Herd is Calling Podcast

Welcome to ‘The Herd Is Calling’

Don’t miss an episode, and access our articles and essays on Substack

Click THIS LINK TO SUBSCRIBE—it’s easy and totally free.

The Herd is Calling is a podcast from My Horse Journey exploring a different way of being with horses — one built on feel, trust, nervous system awareness, and mutual attunement.

Learn more at: myhorsejourney.com

Join hosts Josh and Victoria Williams as they welcome back Jacob Homer for a captivating discussion on the connection between yoga and horsemanship. 

In this episode, Jacob delves deep into the concept of embodiment, sharing insights on how yoga practices can enhance our relationship with horses. Explore the subtle body, the role of breath, practical meditative exercises, and how to maintain presence and awareness. 

Whether you're an equestrian or a yoga enthusiast, this episode offers a unique perspective on integrating ancient wisdom into modern practice. 

00:00 Introduction to the Herd is Calling Podcast

01:08 Meet Jacob Homer: Our First Guest Returns

01:50 Exploring Embodiment: Yoga and Horsemanship

03:23 The Subtle Body and Energetic Practices

13:19 Cultural Perspectives on Yoga and Horsemanship

19:20 Practical Applications and Overcoming Fear

29:10 Embracing Fear and Courage

31:02 The Power of Acknowledgment

33:37 Understanding Energy and Tension

36:01 Holistic Living and Nature

38:06 Yoga and Horsemanship

40:43 Practical Yoga Practices

48:13 Intuitive Energy Practices

01:01:28 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

✨ Follow along with our guest’s Journey and support their work at the following:

https://www.instagram.com/yogi_jake/

https://www.instagram.com/holmerhorsemanship/

Subscribe to The Herd is Calling on Substack for behind-the-scenes stories and unique content. 

Join the movement exploring the art, science, and wonder of horse-human connections!

Continue the journey

If this way of being with horses speaks to you, you can learn more about our current programs and invitations at My Horse Journey.

Our work is for people who want a relationship with horses built on feel, trust, nervous system awareness, and mutual attunement — not compliance.

Start here: myhorsejourney.com

🦄 Don't miss out on the latest episodes, and BONUS exclusive content you won’t find anywhere else! 

Join our free Substack community, it’s the official home of 'The Herd is Calling'. 

👉🏼 Click THIS LINK TO SUBSCRIBE—it’s easy and totally free. See you on the inside! 

Join hosts Josh and Victoria Williams as they explore the transformative world of horse-human connections and trauma healing with their inspiring guest, Barb Cass. 

Ever wondered how parenting relates to horsemanship? The real question, after talking to luminary pioneer of the Parent-Coaching Industry Barb Cass, is how don't they relate!

She discusses the freedom that comes from releasing 'stories' as  parallel to riding in loose reins; discusses how lack of clarity results in anxiety for both human and horse; and provides a MasterClass in boundaries, including the all important 4 c's.

It's an honor and privilege to get to share conversation with someone who has positively impacted thousand of children and families over a more than 4 decade career, and to be able to share her wisdom with all of you. 

00:00 Breaking Free from Trauma Stories

01:08 Introduction to The Herd is Calling Podcast

01:46 Meet Barb Cast: A Journey of Healing and Horses

05:00 Blaze: A Story of Rescue and Transformation

09:42 The Power of Intention and Patience

20:16 From California to Coaching: Barb's Path

24:42 The Evolution of Parent Coaching

32:27 Challenges in the Therapeutic Industry

39:16 The Importance of Parental Involvement

40:54 Challenges in Training and Transition

41:46 Understanding Trauma and Connection

44:48 The Role of Boundaries in Relationships

55:13 Communication and Consistency

01:09:14 Lessons from Horses

01:11:39 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

 ✨ Follow along with our guest’s Journey and support their work at the following:

https://www.parentcoachprofessionals.com/

🦄 Did you know you can join the conversation?!

👉🏼Subscribe to The Herd is Calling on Substack for behind-the-scenes stories and unique content. 

Join the movement exploring the art, science, and wonder of horse-human connections! 🐴✨

Subscribe Now!

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🦄 Don't miss out on the latest episodes, and BONUS exclusive content you won’t find anywhere else! 

Join our free Substack community, it’s the official home of 'The Herd is Calling'. 

👉🏼 Click THIS LINK TO SUBSCRIBE—it’s easy and totally free. See you on the inside! 

Join hosts Josh Williams and Victoria on The Herd is Calling Podcast for an in-depth conversation about the world of unmounted and adaptive horsemanship with our esteemed guest, Chrissy Stout. Chrissy, the Program Director at Haku Baldwin Center in Hawaii and a PATH International certified therapeutic riding instructor, shares her profound insights and experiences.

Guest Bio: Chrissy Stout was born and raised in Australia, hailing from a long line of horse people with deep ties to farming, ranching, and rural living. She is currently the Program Director at Haku Baldwin Center in Hawaii, a nonprofit providing Equine-Assisted Services to youth and adults with diverse needs. Chrissy is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, a PATH Intl. Mentor, and a Horse Powered Reading® Facilitator. She is a Region 11 Ambassador for PATH Intl. and was recognized as the region's Credentialed Professional of the Year in 2022. Chrissy also owns Teaching Aids for EAS, a company specializing in adaptive visual aids to improve communication and enhance instruction inside and outside the arena. She is passionate about creating a culture of mindful and compassionate horsemanship, and empowering the next generation of equine professionals.

00:00 Introduction to Unmounted Programming

00:54 Welcome to The Herd is Calling Podcast

01:33 Meet Chrissy Stout: A Journey from Australia to Hawaii

03:39 A Day in the Life at Haku Baldwin Center

05:38 The Unique Environment of Upcountry Maui

07:26 Programs and Populations at Haku Baldwin Center

08:49 Chrissy's Personal Journey with Horses

13:35 The Power of Observation and Connection

22:16 Implementing Mindfulness with Horses

30:33 The Therapeutic Benefits of Equine Interaction

34:47 Chrissy's Path to Becoming an Instructor

37:48 Journey to Becoming a Certified Instructor

39:26 Overcoming Challenges and Finding Accommodations

41:51 The Power of Community and Mentorship

42:26 A Life-Changing Backpacking Trip

46:30 The Importance of Feel in Riding

51:42 The Value of Unmounted Horsemanship

54:41 Mindfulness and Holistic Horsemanship

01:11:55 Embracing Failure and Seeking Mentorship

01:18:46 Ancient Wisdom in Horsemanship

01:19:24 The Role of Mentorship

01:21:15 Importance of Language in Equine Therapy

01:23:25 Adaptive Riding Explained

01:28:11 Community and Inclusivity

01:35:05 Personal Reflections and Future Goals

01:38:53 Gratitude and Final Thoughts

01:48:55 Outro and Community Invitation

✨ Follow along with our guest’s Journey and support their work at the following:

Check out Chrissy's teaching aids for EAS company here: teachingaidsforeas.com

and on FB, where you can messenger her: https://www.facebook.com/teachingaidsforinstructors

And here is the facility she is the director of: https://hakubaldwincenter.org/

AND you can email Chrissy here: [email protected]

🦄 Did you know you can join the conversation?!

👉🏼Subscribe to The Herd is Calling on Substack for behind-the-scenes stories and unique content. 

Join the movement exploring the art, science, and wonder of horse-human connections! 🐴✨

Subscribe Now!

-💜 Don’t Miss Out! [FREE ACCESS HERE]

🦄 Don't miss out on the latest episodes, and BONUS exclusive content you won’t find anywhere else! 

Join our free Substack community, it’s the official home of 'The Herd is Calling'. 

👉🏼 Click THIS LINK TO SUBSCRIBE—it’s easy and totally free. See you on the inside! 

Join hosts Victoria and Josh Williams on The Herd is Calling Podcast as they interview Ty Yazzie, a Navajo horseman and rancher who currently lives in Powell Butte Oregon as owner of C Bar C Ranch. He raises Red Angus/Hereford Beef, Navajo Churro Sheep, and Angora Goats. He also breeds and works with horses, and helps people develop relationships and work through problems they are having with their horses.

Ty discusses his perspectives on intuition as connectivity, the importance of community/clan/herd, wisdom from his elders, the importance of the lost rights of passage and ideas for a native youth program, understanding horses through observing the dance of body language, and the 3 things he believes horses can teach humans (and a lot more!).

We were truly blown away by Ty's wisdom and are very grateful to be able to learn from him, and share his wisdom with all of you.

00:00 The Power of Forgiveness in Setting Boundaries

00:49 Introducing the Herd is Calling Podcast

01:28 Meet Ty Yazi: Rancher and Horse Expert

02:37 The Philosophy of Working with Horses

04:37 The Importance of Relationship in Horsemanship

07:00 Training vs. Working with Horses

09:02 Human Responsibility in Horsemanship

11:08 The Role of Trust and Boundaries

19:24 Personal Stories and Lessons Learned

25:49 Indigenous Horsemanship and Leadership

27:53 Handling Spooky Situations and Windy Days

32:38 The Concept of Desensitization

43:00 The Importance of Forgiveness in Horsemanship

45:50 The Power of Forgiveness

46:40 Lessons from My Sister

47:40 Horsemanship and Forgiveness

52:13 Intuition and Connectivity

59:39 Rite of Passage: The Suicide Race

01:01:48 Cultural Significance of Horses

01:11:58 Building Youth Programs

01:30:48 Top Qualities Horses Teach Us

✨ Follow along with our guest’s Journey and support their work at the following:

Find Ty on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/ty.yazzie.3

and on IG here:  https://www.instagram.com/ty.y81/  

🦄 Did you know you can join the conversation?!

👉🏼Subscribe to The Herd is Calling on Substack for behind-the-scenes stories and unique content. 

Join the movement exploring the art, science, and wonder of horse-human connections! 🐴✨

Subscribe Now!

-💜 Don’t Miss Out! [FREE ACCESS HERE]

🦄 Don't miss out on the latest episodes, and BONUS exclusive content you won’t find anywhere else! 

Join our free Substack community, it’s the official home of 'The Herd is Calling'. 

👉🏼 Click THIS LINK TO SUBSCRIBE—it’s easy and totally free. See you on the inside! 

Join hosts Josh and Victoria Williams on The Herd is Calling Podcast as they interview Holly Silvey.

Holly is a standout in both 4-H and high school equestrian competitions, and now serves as a mentor and leader in these organizations while studying agriculture at Texas A&M.

Our conversation with Holly will delve into the topic of joy and how embracing challenges can lead to greater motivation and fulfillment.

From the importance of connections and relationships, to the impact of education and the development of key traits such as confidence, autonomy, worthiness, and responsibility, Holly shares her insights on what drives her and her passion for mentoring youth.

If you're looking for inspiration for the future, this episode is a must-listen!

0:00 Untitled project from Restream

00:48 Introduction to The Herd is Calling Podcast

01:25 Meet Holly Sylvie: A Journey in Equestrianism

03:01 Early Equestrian Experiences and Mentorship

04:18 The Joy and Challenges of Horse Shows

07:16 Current Life and Observations as a Judge

10:43 The Importance of Curiosity and Learning

15:48 Holly's Early Passion for Horses

20:41 The Role of Education and Mentorship

36:18 Collegiate Equestrian Team Experience

42:34 The Importance of Full-Body Strength in Riding

43:56 Volunteering and Leading in 4-H

45:00 The Impact of 4-H on Personal Growth

47:25 Explaining the 4-H Program

48:29 Psychological Benefits of 4-H

52:28 Challenges in 4-H Horse Programs

01:03:38 Advice to My 15-Year-Old Self

01:12:10 Key Lessons from Horses

01:16:11 Wrapping Up and Future Plans

🦄 Did you know you can join the conversation?!

👉🏼Subscribe to The Herd is Calling on Substack for behind-the-scenes stories and unique content. 

Join the movement exploring the art, science, and wonder of horse-human connections! 🐴✨

Subscribe Now!

-💜 Don’t Miss Out! [FREE ACCESS HERE]

Embracing Bravery, Kindness, and Community: Cherri Appleby's Journey with Horses From Hollywood to Ghost Rock Ranch!

🦄 Don't miss out on the latest episodes, and BONUS exclusive content you won’t find anywhere else! 

Join our free Substack community, it’s the official home of 'The Herd is Calling'. 

👉🏼 Click THIS LINK TO SUBSCRIBE—it’s easy and totally free. See you on the inside! 

Join hosts Victoria and Josh Williams on The Herd is Calling podcast for an inspiring conversation with Cherri Applebee, owner of Ghost Rock Ranch in Bend, Oregon.

Cherri shares her remarkable journey of becoming a film and video producer and fulfilling her lifelong dream of starting a ranch. Learn about the joys and challenges of horse care, the importance of community, and the therapeutic benefits of equine interactions. Discover how Cherri's philosophy of kindness and bravery shapes her interactions with both horses and people. 💖✨

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:03 Meet Cherri Applebee: A Life in Film and Ranching

00:28 Cheri's Early Inspirations and Family Background

01:22 Daily Life at Ghost Rock Ranch

02:06 The Unique Bond with Horses

03:35 Creating a Positive Culture at the Ranch

04:42 Understanding Horse Behavior and Communication

06:38 Cheri's Journey with Horses and Community Impact

14:12 Early Adventures and Influences

21:34 Building Ghost Rock Ranch: Dreams and Challenges

28:53 The Power of Community

29:36 Creating a Welcoming Environment

29:54 Intentional Community Building

30:37 Neighborly Support and Collaboration

31:38 Effort and Intention in Building Community

32:30 Curiosity and Collaboration

33:45 Lessons from Horses

35:47 Stories of Healing and Connection

39:57 Expanding Community Outreach

41:57 Therapeutic Benefits of Horses

43:50 Future Plans and Vision

53:37 Final Reflections and Gratitude

✨ Follow along with our guest’s Journey and support their work at the following:

Reach Cherie here:  https://www.ghostrockranch.com/

🦄 Did you know you can join the conversation?!

👉🏼Subscribe to The Herd is Calling on Substack for behind-the-scenes stories and unique content. 

Join the movement exploring the art, science, and wonder of horse-human connections! 🐴✨

Subscribe Now!

-💜 Don’t Miss Out! [FREE ACCESS HERE]

Unlocking the Mysteries of Horse-Human Connections with Rebecca Walker Sands, PhD

Welcome to ‘The Herd Is Calling’

Don’t miss an episode, and access our articles and essays on Substack

Click THIS LINK TO SUBSCRIBE—it’s easy and totally free.

The Herd is Calling is a podcast from My Horse Journey exploring a different way of being with horses — one built on feel, trust, nervous system awareness, and mutual attunement.

Learn more at: myhorsejourney.com

Join hosts Victoria and Josh Williams on The Herd is Calling podcast for an inspiring conversation with the wondrous Rebecca Walker-Sands.

Rebecca is renowned professor, who has a Masters of Science degree and PhD with a defining thread involving animal behavior! She has worked in research settings with sheep, wolves, chimps, & voles among other non-human animals. She is a decorated academic having won many prestigious awards, and is a popular and highly regarded keynote speaker.

In this conversation, we explore Recca's personal horse journey from childhood to the present moment. We discuss the lessons learned from a year of loss and grief, such as the power of self forgiveness and compassion.

She discusses horses through the lessons she's learned from a lifetime studying animal behavior at a very high level, including non-verbal communication, coregulation, and polyvagal theory. She discusses the valuable lessons horses can teach humanity, as well as how horses have helped her be a better professor!

We hope this is part 1 of several podcasts with Rebecca Walker-Sands, it's a privilege to share a bit of her genius with you all.

00:00 Introduction to The Herd is Calling Podcast

02:40 Meet Our Esteemed Guest: Rebecca Walker Sands

05:08 Rebecca's Current Horse Life

07:29 Rebecca's Early Connection to Horses

10:24 The Journey Back to Horses

11:52 The Impact of Meditation and Mindfulness

15:05 A Year of Loss and Resilience

22:16 Rebecca's Path to Psychology

28:53 Insights from Animal Behavior Research

34:47 The Complexity of Horse and Human Interactions

42:25 Managing Escalation and Staying Calm

42:58 Aha Moments in Teaching

45:39 Lessons from Horses: Respect, Resilience, and Repair

46:12 The Evolution of Teaching and Horsemanship

59:40 The Importance of the Right Horse Partnership

01:08:19 Gratitude and Perseverance

01:14:08 Future Projects and Final Thoughts

Subscribe to The Herd is Calling on Substack for behind-the-scenes stories and unique content. 

Join the movement exploring the art, science, and wonder of horse-human connections!

Continue the journey

If this way of being with horses speaks to you, you can learn more about our current programs and invitations at My Horse Journey.

Our work is for people who want a relationship with horses built on feel, trust, nervous system awareness, and mutual attunement — not compliance.

Start here: myhorsejourney.com

🦄 Don't miss out on the latest episodes, and BONUS exclusive content you won’t find anywhere else! 

Join our free Substack community, it’s the official home of 'The Herd is Calling'. 

👉🏼 Click THIS LINK TO SUBSCRIBE—it’s easy and totally free. See you on the inside! 

Join hosts Victoria and Josh Williams on The Herd is Calling podcast for an inspiring conversation with Laura Forrest.

She is a horsewoman, counselor, LCSW, and highly experienced in Equine Experiential Therapy!

In this podcast, she shares what a typical day in the life looks like for her now, her original motivations for connecting with horses, and some of the events that led her to where she is now. We explore some powerful, and deeply moving themes, such as staying true to yourself through making difficult decisions, manifesting your authentic dream life, the power of gratitude, her interpretation of tears, personal realizations in equine therapy settings, how horses have made her a better therapist, and so much more!

Laura life is truly dedicated in service to other, and her story is full of richness, courageousness, vulnerability, and authenticity. She is extremely well qualified to shine a light on the healing power of horses, and does so beautifully in this podcast.

We hope to bring Laura back for future episodes where she can share about her experiences riding horses in Patagonia and Mongolia! We will also dive deeper into the fascinating field of equine experiential therapy.

We hope this is as meaningful for you to hear as it was for us! 

0:00 Highlight Clip and Intro

01:57 Reflecting on Personal Growth

04:31 Welcoming Laura to the Podcast

06:12 Laura's Horse Life Today

09:14 Early Love for Horses

10:14 First Horse and Formative Years

12:51 Navigating Life and Career

17:58 Therapy and Personal Growth

24:54 Equine Psychotherapy Journey

29:58 The Unique Healing Power of Horses

38:08 Reflecting on Personal Growth

39:11 The Power of Tears

43:04 A Life of Service

46:54 Navigating Life Transitions

50:29 The Essence of Trust

57:42 The Healing Power of Horses

59:29 Moments of Triumph and Joy

01:04:38 Gratitude and Final Thoughts

✨ Follow along with our guest’s Journey and support their work at the following:

https://www.discoverywithhorses.com/

🦄 Did you know you can join the conversation?!

👉🏼Subscribe to The Herd is Calling on Substack for behind-the-scenes stories and unique content. 

Join the movement exploring the art, science, and wonder of horse-human connections! 🐴✨

Subscribe Now!

-💜 Don’t Miss Out! [FREE ACCESS HERE]

🦄 Don't miss out on the latest episodes, and BONUS exclusive content you won’t find anywhere else! 

Join our free Substack community, it’s the official home of 'The Herd is Calling'. 

👉🏼 Click THIS LINK TO SUBSCRIBE—it’s easy and totally free. See you on the inside! 

Join hosts Victoria and Josh Williams on The Herd is Calling podcast for an inspiring conversation with Jacob Holmer. He shared some of his own journey, starting with the traditions of Ray Hunt and traditional Dressage, to Enlightened Classical French Dressage, as well as how the ancient practice of Yoga informs his horsemanship!

Jacob is currently an apprentice at Barbier Farms, under Maestri Dominique Barbier, as well as Deborah Barbier and their assistant trainer Lauren Schultz.

He is an experienced teacher of Yoga, and shares insights to how yogic philosophy has profoundly influenced his horsemanship.

We met Jacob at Barbier Farms symposium in Healdsburg CA in the Summer of 22 where he was a featured rider, we are overjoyed to have reconnected with him. His teacher, Dominique, is someone we consider a living legend, and a luminary in the horsemanship world, and is one of our literal hero's! 

We hope to feature him more in the future to explore these profound subjects in even more depth!

00:00 Introduction to Jacob Holmer

02:54 Jacob's Early Passion for Horses

04:09 Diverse Training Experiences

06:14 Breaks and Returns to Horsemanship

11:49 Daily Life at Barbie Farms

14:46 The Importance of Groundwork

25:23 The Influence of Yoga on Horsemanship

39:04 Breathwork and Its Benefits

46:21 Exploring the Force in Star Wars

47:07 Breath Work and Stress Tolerance

48:37 Yoga and Horsemanship: A Paradoxical Relationship

50:11 The Essence of Yoga in Horse Riding

54:47 The Power of Breath and Core Engagement

01:06:38 Enlightened Classical French Dressage

01:14:58 Visualization and Manifestation in Horsemanship

01:26:35 Gratitude and Future Aspirations

✨ Follow along with our guest’s Journey and support their work at the following:

Here is the link to order the book Jacob recommended, as well as to check out what his teacher Dominique Barbier is offering:  https://dominiquebarbier.com/

🦄 Did you know you can join the conversation?!

👉🏼Subscribe to The Herd is Calling on Substack for behind-the-scenes stories and unique content. 

Join the movement exploring the art, science, and wonder of horse-human connections! 🐴✨

Subscribe Now!

-💜 Don’t Miss Out! [FREE ACCESS HERE]

🦄 Don't miss out on the latest episodes, and BONUS exclusive content you won’t find anywhere else! 

Join our free Substack community, it’s the official home of 'The Herd is Calling'. 

👉🏼 Click THIS LINK TO SUBSCRIBE—it’s easy and totally free. See you on the inside! 

Welcome to 'The Herd is Calling' podcast! In this episode, hosts Josh and Victoria Williams delve into the true essence of leadership within horse-human relationships. They discuss the importance of collaboration, inspiration, and trust over dominance, drawing from insights by Brene Brown. The podcast features a Q&A from their Facebook group 'Holistic Horsemanship,' where they explore the differences between signs of connection and signs of dominance in horses. Topics include understanding horse communication, the impact of body language and energy, and the significance of the 

 0:00 ama podcast

01:38 Introduction and Welcome

02:15 Exploring Connection vs. Dominance

03:08 Understanding Horse-Human Communication

04:40 The Role of Leadership in Horsemanship

13:21 Recognizing Signs of Joy in Horses

21:47 Building Trust with Your Horse

28:19 Fun and Final Thoughts

🦄 Did you know you can join the conversation?!

👉🏼Subscribe to The Herd is Calling on Substack for behind-the-scenes stories and unique content. 

Join the movement exploring the art, science, and wonder of horse-human connections! 🐴✨

Subscribe Now!

-💜 Don’t Miss Out! [FREE ACCESS HERE]